Worth noting here that NYC already offers universal free public school meals, so this is strictly an upstate thing (and I suspect that she won't be giving NYC any extra money because of it either)
Up here we complain that only NYC gets anything, apparently you think the same. Over half the state's population is outside of the city (including places that hate being called Upstate) and y'all get a lot of things we don't, so let the rest of the state take a win.
I'm happy for the rest of the state's win, but Hochul sucks and has been generally awful for NYC and I don't want her getting undeserved credit for stuff that might help her in 2026
I don't disagree that Hochul's not great. I'm just wondering why giving the other 55% of the state something you already have is "undeserved." This isn't harming NYC in any way, it's just helping the rest of us.
And I'm not trying to flame you or anything. I grew up in one of the poorest counties and am now raising my kid in another. There are a lot of assumptions about life in "Upstate" so I can get a bit passionate about screaming that NYC is not the entire state.
My point stands though. Helping over half the state still deserves some credit even if it doesn't specifically help you. Something doesn't specifically have to help NYC to be a good thing, especially when it's something the city already has.
Oh certainly - it's still a good policy! - but I'm worried she's going to get a lot of undeserved credit when in reality this is yet another case of Hochul acting as Governor Of Most Of New York
Michigan did this a few years ago, and it's worked out just fine for us. It doesn't even cost that much; I think Michigan dedicated like, 160m out of the budget (82.5b) for it? I'm not super at math but I think that's like .2% of the total budget. It's chump change and it feeds kids. No brainer.
We’ve been doing this for a couple in CA & I served on the committee to help shape implementation in my child’s district. It’s actually less than $2/day for 2 meals due to bulk purchase. Even less if your district does scratch cooking.
My daughter's school does free breakfast, lunch, and latchkey snacks. She only partakes in lunch, but I'm more than happy that my taxes are going to pay for this service.
School lunch everywhere should always be free. The stigma of feeding poor children differently to shame them is something we as a society should long ago have risen up to protest. Nothing is gained, and so much can be lost.
We’ve been doing this California and results have been good. A group of moms worked with our district to get healthier meals & it turned out to be more cost effective than reheating pre-made meals. Also, less ultra processed foods.
Taxes for this are a good thing. Are you OK with everything else your taxes are going to. And that New York is going bankrupt. Let's cut out some of the fat, so people can have good meals.
I think the point is that many families do not have the funds to buy a lunchbox or the food to go in it. If you do, then you are fortunate and that’s a good thing. Children can be cruel (and not just the bullies). Children isolated as “the needy ones” wear that stigma daily. Let’s do this. 💖
Comments
Yes, there should be free lunch for those who need it.
Vote in primary’s otherwise nothing will change.
https://apnews.com/article/states-rejecting-federal-funds-summer-ebt-8a1e88ad77465652f9de67fda3af8a2d
Cruelty really is the point.